Man, I'm rusty. This is also a week or two old, Kal's results will be coming out in two days.
“We desperately wanted more Protoss, so there were many applicants.”
Air Force ACE’s coach Oh Dong Soo thus expressed his team’s need for Protoss reinforcements. After the end of Much’s military service, no new Protosses entered ACE, and the next season was in danger of being negatively affected. Still, though, the process of recruiting a new toss turned out to be tougher than expected.
At first, Coach Oh’s strict requirements turned away many players. But there was one player whose record in ace matches had been steadily and strangely dropping. His true skill just wouldn’t come out in televised games. And infuriatingly, he had no clue why. He wondered if it was time for a change.
So this player applied to Air Force ACE. ACE has never had a player near the top of the KeSPA ranking, so at the sight of his application Coach Oh broke out into an unbridled grin.
This player is none other than former Starleague finalist Kal. In the 10-11 season, Kal was mired in a deep slump, so he needed time and a way to return. As he packed away his inner troubles, he made up his mind to apply to ACE.
So what sort of mental changes has Kal actually undergone? Let’s find out as we talk with Kal.
Truly odd. It clearly wasn’t a lack of practice, his quality of life remained well, and girls had nothing to do with it either. No mental troubles either. Just a sudden inescapable string of losses in official matches.
"Actually, if it were girl troubles or starcraft burnout, the slump wouldn’t be nearly so tormenting. But it’s nothing like that. A sudden drop in performance like this is tough to bear. "
Kal continued to search for an explanation, but it’s only more painful. With this issue constantly on his mind, Kal found it tough to focus on practice, and he fell into a vicious cycle of decline. Kal even considered going to ask the gods for advice.
"Every progamer has his share of tough times – you could even say that’s true for every vocation. But for a progamer, this is especially fatal. If you can’t quickly get out of a slump, your career could be over just like that."
Kal was indeed worried that his own life as a progamer was about to end. So as the season ended, he pondered the possibility of joining the Air Force. He needed an environment where he could be more mentally unburdened, more able to focus on Starcraft.
◆A need for change
STX is known for its good treatment of players. STX players tend to have good wages and a comfortable playing environment, so STX players tend to be proud of their team. Kal was no exception. But strangely, he felt that this type of environment was a detriment to him.
"I felt like I needed some sort of change. The team’s wages are good, and they organize general affairs well, so people were wondering whether my departure was because I was growing demotivated. But it’s times like these that I need a new environment."
Even though he could have gone to another team, Kal had one major reason for joining the Air Force. He wanted to return to his initial mindset. Back then, he played unencumbered by thoughts of wages or progamer status; he played for love of the game. He wanted to play for a long time and remain a passionate gamer.
"Way back when, even when I didn’t have wages, I played with visions of a successful future. I cradled this dream all while playing. That was my happiest time. I feel like I’ve lost that mentality. So what I really want is to rediscover that primal passion."
Kal decided that the Air Force offered him the best environment for personal change. Here, wages aren’t linked to results, and wins are “pure,” so to speak. Here, he could rekindle his passion.
"Right now I want to return to playing SC. With keyboard and mouse in hand, playing an intense game with my opponent – merely imagining it, I get riled up. If I could simply get back to that, nothing would be impossible."
◆"I only fear shaving my head"
For Kal, the upcoming time will be a lull. Final acceptances won’t be posted until the last days of September, so for the next couple weeks, he’ll be calming his spirit. Many think Kal is a lock for entering ACE, but by no means do they use fame as a factor for acceptance, as the tests are done individually.
"I hope I qualify. I cut short my progamer career to apply to ACE, so if I don’t make it I’ll be very depressed. I can’t wait for the day they announce results; even if I don’t make it I want to know quickly."
Although he’s very eager to enter ACE sooner, Kal is also slightly worried. Because he hasn’t ever shown a shaved head to fans. To be fair, unless you’re as handsome as [T/N 元彬张东健], if you shave your head your appearance will be much worse.
"I’m afraid of showing fans or other people what I look like with my head shaved (haha). All the other guys think like this too. I’ve never shaved my head before, so even the prospect makes me shudder (haha)."
◆"I'm all ready to go!"
If Kal makes it into ACE, it will be a big step for not just himself but for all eSports. Air Force ACE will no longer be a team to be looked down upon.
"To be honest, I don’t think I can single-handedly make ACE that much stronger. ACE is already a strong team, and last season they made that clear to me. I only want to propel the already high-flying ACE even further. I’d be more valuable to the team that way, too."
Kal has made up his mind to work even harder than now if he makes it into ACE. He hopes this season, Air Force ACE can make its way into the finals.
"I want to make miracles with the rest of ACE. Truth be told, I’m not particularly close with anybody from ACE. But I still want to succeed with this team. I want to join ACE quickly, fire up the team, and be a driving force. What more could I possibly hope for?"
To Kal, who hopes to lend his strength to ACE while returning to his own roots, we hope that his plane flies highest.
wow didnt knew kal applied to ace. that would give ace some reliable toss afterall which would be very nice. but who is gonna fill kals spot at STX house?
with JangBi winning the OSL, I can see surge in Protoss @ not only PL but also SLs. Kinda like how Bisu won the MSL to bring the golden age of Toss. Hopefully Kal follows up the trends and be acrobatic again. Seriousl his harass is even better than Bisu's in PvZ. And then OMFG I CAN FINALLY DO THE ONE THING THAT I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO FOR THE LONGEST TIME + Show Spoiler +
On September 19 2011 11:13 Reyis wrote: wow didnt knew kal applied to ace. that would give ace some reliable toss afterall which would be very nice. but who is gonna fill kals spot at STX house?
I always enjoyed liked Kal, I was sorry to see him slumping so badly. Few players continue to be much of a force in BW after moving to Ace, but hell, if JangBi of all people can come back to win an OSL, maybe Kal can regain his mojo and flourish on Ace.
Oh I didn't know Much finished his military service I hope Kal rekindles his passion again and shows us what a beast he can be, I want ACE to get into the playoffs next season too, that would be so cool.
I hope Kal finds rejuvenation in ACE. This guy is possibly the best Protoss to never have won a SL. Imagine if he regains his form and takes a gold as an Ace member! He just has to not run into Jaedong and he'll be fine.
Kal is such an amazing player. His PvZ just one year ago was at the pinnacle of the game. He was innovating and playing so well. It would be a spectacular shame if his career ends now. I'm really pulling for him making it in. It's cruel to put him and Pure in this scenario. Kal hwaiting! <3
If there's anything we've learned from watching the 2011 season, it's to never ever count out a former dragon even if everyone says he's washed up. I look forward to seeing Kal make ACE a legitimate playoff contender next year.
Feels kinda strange when CS is not translating STX related stuff, thanks anyway!
If he does not get accepted into Airforce Ace and Pure does, I'll lose any hope for Ace getting into the playoffs. I'd be also so cool to see Ace player get deep into OSL like ro8 or ro4 these days...
Thanks for translation. I really hope Kal makes it in.
I love this part:
"Right now I want to return to playing SC. With keyboard and mouse in hand, playing an intense game with my opponent – merely imagining it, I get riled up. If I could simply get back to that, nothing would be impossible."
To me Kal always showed how much he loves the game with his play-style. You can always see him having fun while playing. I really hope he makes it into ACE and finds his form again.
Good luck to Kal in ACE! If GGaemo and FBH got rejuvenated in that environment, I see no reason for a dragon not to rise again, esp one as talented as Kal.
A bit off topic, but with Kal's salary off the books and potential trades going around, which one of the free agents from Oz/MBC/WeMade could STX afford? Could they afford JD? Sea? Baby?
I didn't like him much, especially with him taking out Bisu ever so often in PL awhile back...but the slump came as a shock to me and I hope he does better soon
How can be any guy of Kal's age mentally ok when he doesn't have a girl? And I would like to see how the Koreans ask gods about slumps Anyway, good luck, Kal.
He sould make a good substitute for Much. Kal is still young so it seems weird that he is moving to Air Force Ace already. The atmosphere in STX must really suck.
On September 20 2011 16:14 Caladbolg wrote: Good luck to Kal in ACE! If GGaemo and FBH got rejuvenated in that environment, I see no reason for a dragon not to rise again, esp one as talented as Kal.
A bit off topic, but with Kal's salary off the books and potential trades going around, which one of the free agents from Oz/MBC/WeMade could STX afford? Could they afford JD? Sea? Baby?
Sea and Baby earn a lot less than Kal so no problems there but JD was on 200k a year so that might be too expensive.
Edit: It's strange how Kal went from "protoss of the year" at the 2010 esports awards to a mega slump. And that Jangbi might go in the opposite direction. But I hope Kal regains his form if he gets accepted by ACE. Pure applied at the same time as Kal so I wonder if ACE will accept both or just one.
I hope he will be able to find passion for the game again. The thing is that as we grow older is harder and harder to hold to a dream... But good luck Kal. You're definitely one of my favorite players!
On September 19 2011 20:13 mustaju wrote: Kal will be baller, whether in STX or not. My fandom for Kal will not even waver when he's playing on the same team as Canata.
You're alive!!
Also this is good for Kal, though I'll miss him from STX. Maybe he'll come back in the future when his Air Force service is over!
On September 19 2011 20:13 mustaju wrote: Kal will be baller, whether in STX or not. My fandom for Kal will not even waver when he's playing on the same team as Canata.
You're alive!!
Also this is good for Kal, though I'll miss him from STX. Maybe he'll come back in the future when his Air Force service is over!
Kal has the same face in every picture roflmao ... and I hope he got in, ACE would have such a great boost from someone like Kal. I just wish ACE would accept more progamers into its team, that way they wouldn't be so critically short on practice partners like they have been in the past ..
be happy that he will continue his career on ACE and not just retire right away i guess. hopefully Kal will be more like a ggeamo or FBH at ACE (actually improve their play) and not a much or xellos (slowly fade away ).
From what I remember, ACE was only allowing one player to join, or they only had one slot, right? So it's unlikely Pure will join ACE, but still do his military service anyways?
I know I read that only one was getting on ACE somewhere..
EPT
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